Following his logic, is Neal a Marcos collaborator?

Inquirer columnist Neal Cruz has been relentless in his criticisms against Bam Aquino. First, he questioned his qualifications and credentials in aspiring to be a senator of the republic. I say that the Senate can accommodate people from the private sector as well, to enhance legislative debate and provide a healthy mix of disciplines in formulating legislative measures and in shaping public policies.

Bam’s academic credential is now a matter of public knowledge: a valedictorian at the Ateneo High School; a management engineer from the Ateneo de Manila University, graduating summa cum laude and valedictorian; a former Ateneo Student Council president; chair of the National Youth Commission; Ten Outstanding Young Men and Ten Young Persons of the World awardee; and founder of Hapinoy, a social enterprise program for small-scale entrepreneurs.

Cruz should give Bam a break. Let’s have more of bright, young people in the Senate.

Now, Cruz changes tack and accuses Bam of being a Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo collaborator. While Bam accepted his appointment to the National Youth Commission, he was not part nor was he involved whatsoever in the political operations and electoral cheating machinery of Arroyo. Neither was he part of the circle of corrupt officials close to Arroyo, who plundered the country’s coffers.

Cruz used the word “collaborator” in describing Bam’s association with the Arroyo regime. If memory serves, Cruz used to be with the Daily Express during the martial law regime, which was part of the media propaganda apparatus of the Marcos dictatorship. Was Cruz in fact a collaborator of the Marcos regime?

—FERDIE T. SIBAL, 18 Green Leaves St.,

Capitol Green Village,

Tandang Sora, Quezon City